From the 'Lectric Law Library's LexiconVillein

Peter Banning: Scientists are now using lawyers instead of rats for their experiments. There are two reasons for this. The scientists don't become attached to the lawyers and there are some things rats won't do.

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VILLEIN

In France: a rural or urban non-noble. A rural free-man in England: a peasant with enough land to support his family.

Engl. law. A species of slave during the feudal times.'

The feudal villein of the lowest order was unprotected as to property, and subjected to the post ignoble services; but his circumstances were very different from the slave of the southern states, for no person was, in the eye of the law, a villein, except as to his master; in relation to all other persons he was a freeman.

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